It looks like the Thomas Partey to Arsenal saga is winding down a bit.
There’s been a lot less speculation about the Ghana international joining the Gunners in recent weeks and it was reported by AS Roma Live on Tuesday that the North Londoners had identified Amadou Diawara as an alternative for the Atletico Madrid powerhouse.
But Goal.com have reported a bit more about the potential swap that Arsenal were considering – Lacazette for Partey – and revealed that they could sacrifice a different player.
According to that publication, the Emirates Stadium club could be willing to include midfielder Lucas Torreira in any deal that results in Partey joining the club.
The Uruguay international has barely played since football resumed in June, having suffered a serious injury just before the season was suspended back in March.
But he’s fit now and Arsenal are reportedly willing to lose him if it means the 27-year-old signs.
This makes more sense than a straight swap for Lacazette, who is a striker, but Partey and Torreira – signed in 2018 when Sven Mislintat was head of recruitment – are identical players in terms of the role that they operate in.
And if it’s a player-plus-cash suggestion, Atletico would have a ready-made replacement for Partey and a bit of money to invest in other areas, but time will tell.
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